The article analyzes the work of the United Nations Environment Programme in Nigeria, where billions of barrels of oil have spilled into the Niger Delta over the last 50 years. It is a big challenge for UNEP to coordinate environmental action globally, since its annual budget is far too small compared to the task it is charged with.

“We have an environmental organisation whose mandate is to be the environmental conscience of the world,” says Dr Maria Ivanova. “At the same time we’re not seeing the kind of push or criticism that one might expect in the face of glaring environmental problems.”